Monday, 10 July 2017

A note from us to say that sadly, we're going to be putting our shows on hiatus for the next while. New work commitments in the household are going to make doing shows on Fridays or Saturdays impossible, and so we are going to have to hit "pause" for now.

Monday, 13 February 2017

Our first concert of 2017 is going to be a wonderful one for a number of reasons. First, it marks the 10th birthday of BobCat House Concerts. We welcomed Suzie Vinnick and Tony D into our home in February 2007, and we were hooked on bringing music to eager ears. Since then, we've done dozens of shows, encouraged a few other people to begin doing house concerts of their own, and luxuriated in wonderful music and camaraderie.

Second, if you were at that show in February 2007, you may remember it was kind of a birthday gift for the Cat half of BobCat. It's her birthday month again, and if you play your cards right there might be cake this time!

But you're probably not coming for cake -- you're coming for music. And we have two announcements to make.

First, Anique Granger and Mélanie Brulée on February 25. These two performers share a depth of insight that comes through in their own songs and the songs they write together, but bring distinctly different voices to the mix. Saskatchewan-born Anique Granger is the more straightforward singer-songwriter, with a touch of the chansonnier tradition of francophone music, while Cornwall-born Mélanie Brulée is equal portions cabaret, indie-rock, and singer-songwriter, bringing a theatricality to her performance that is reinforced by solid musicianship and writing.

Join us for an evening of songs that will touch your heart or provide un vrai coup de coeur.

Special bonus sneak preview: March 23 we are thrilled to welcome a return engagement by one of our -- and Canada's -- favourite groups. We don't normally do weeknight shows, but when the Good Lovelies make an offer, we can't refuse. This will be an exclusive, private show with this Juno Award-winning trio (and February 2009 BobCatters). A full announcement will come soon. This WILL sell out, so book your seat now.

Tuesday, 20 September 2016

Feels like WAY too long since we've had a crowd of people here to make an evening magic. So let's DO THIS.

It seems unbelievable that we haven't had a Cape Bretoner play a show at our house, since we're both from there. But we're remedying that BIG mistake with gusto October 15.

Norma MacDonald first crossed our path WAYYYYY back in the mists of time, when we were just starting out as adults and we'd see a band called Highland Heights in Halifax. The band broke up, but Norma has kept on with music and become a solo singer-songwriter.

Her voice is something unique. There's a bell-like quality to it, not brassy, but a timbre that brings clarity to whatever she sings. And her songs are wonderful examples of modern roots music. Her new album Burn the tapes was described by Exclaim! magazine as living in "the space between restlessness and peacefulness."

Friday, 6 May 2016

The next BobCat show is going to find a houseful of creative and quirky musicians making songs that engage heart and head with equal power.

The Donefors are celebrating 10 years as a band, but each of them has worked on solo and other group projects for longer than that. Probably best known of those projects is the great and lamented group Mr. Something Something.

In that time, they've made three CDs: "How to have sex with Canadians", "Award Winning Album", and "Lush Life Below the Poverty Line." Each of the records brings quirky intelligence and excellent musicianship to the studio, and that's what each band member brings to the stage as well.

Janine Stoll and Paul MacDougall played here together several years ago as part of our Babes for Breasts house concert; Janine also came to play a split-bill show with Emma-Lee. Her precise alto and rhythm guitar provide a bed for Paul's wide-ranging guitar excursions. Meanwhile, Liam Smith and Brian Lahaie provide bass and drums. Songs come from Janine, Paul, and Liam.

You can hear elements of Afrobeat, jazz, fusion, and almost everything in the eclectic mix that the four core Donefors bring to the band. And you might even hear something about Janine's project with Melissa McLelland and Lisa Winn, the Ladybird Animal Sanctuary. Ladybird is an animal rescue operation that's rescued hundreds of animals and placed them with forever families.

If you need a dose of witty and catchy songs in your ears -- you need to be here May 28. You'll be done for.

Saturday, 30 January 2016

February 2007 was the first ever BobCat concert. We rocked the house with Suzie Vinnick and Tony D that night, and since then it's been an endless stream of great music gracing our sunroom.

February is also Cat's birthday, so she always gets the choice of who to have play her "birthday show." Following a sterling string of picks (Good Lovelies, Penny Lang, Jeremy Fisher, Peter Elkas, Amy Campbell...) she has chosen our friend Jory Nash as her 2016 guest.

If Izaak Walton was the "Compleat Angler", then Jory is the Compleat Songwriter. Over the last two decades, he's put out nine CDs that have charted his growth as a songwriter, arranger, musician and singer.

He's learned the craft of writing and performing diligently, and now he spends a fair amount of time teaching that craft too. AND... he's taken his love and respect for the music of Gordon Lightfoot and turned it into a legendary series of "The Way We Feel" concerts, and now into a CD project that's in the planning stages.

He's been with us before, but every appearance brings new songs and stories. Don't miss this opportunity.

WHO: Jory Nash

WHEN: February 13, mingling at 7, music at 8

WHAT: Our SUGGESTED donation is $20; feel free to bring a snack to share and any booze you'd like to consume, and/or a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank

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Who"s BobCat?

BobCat wants you to come to many, many shows. So while we are a BYOB operation, we strongly encourage responsible consumption. If you're drinking, please ensure you have a safe way home. If we feel you are unable to drive, we will call you a cab or work out a safe alternative for you.

BobCat also wants you to not have allergy attacks. So be advised that while we do our best, we can't get all of Cooper and Mia's cat dander out of the house. We love you. But we also love our cats. Can't we all just get along?

What's a house concert?

House concerts are intimate gatherings of friends and friendly folk to listen to wonderful music. They might be potluck suppers, or desserts. The constants are a musician or two (maybe three), an appreciative audience, and spellbinding shows that you'll remember. For more info, check out Home Routes, Acoustic Roof or Concerts in Your Home.